Artificial marble including opaque striped region and transparent base region

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an artificial marble including one or more stripe regions and a base region on a first surface of the artificial marble, in which the stripe regions extend into the artificial marble, in which the artificial marble includes a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is the base region and an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region is the stripe region, and in which at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to a naked eye from the surface of the base region.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0183957 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 24, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to an artificial marble including an opaque stripe region and a transparent base region.

BACKGROUND ART

Engineered stone is artificial marble, also called E-stone, and is an interior design material that has a texture and feel similar to those of natural stone. In the industries, researches have been made to enhance an aesthetic sense by improving color-development, shape and the like of artificial marble. For example, Korean Patent No. 10-1270415 discloses an artificial marble with various patterns and appearances using marble chips. Demand for engineered stone is gradually increasing for interior floors, wall decorations, and kitchen worktops, and most of the products imitate natural stone species such as granite and marble.

However, in the recent interior design market, interest in natural stones such as quartzite with a more luxurious pattern is gradually increasing. Reflecting this trend, the E-stone industry is also making significant efforts to implement the corresponding natural stones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial marble that gives a sense of depth to a stripe to give an aesthetic sense similar to that of natural stone.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an artificial marble including one or more stripe regions and a base region on a first surface of the artificial marble, in which the stripe regions extend into the artificial marble, in which the artificial marble includes a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is the base region and an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region is the stripe region, and in which at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to a naked eye from the surface of the base region.

Advantageous Effects

The artificial marble of the present invention has a visual sense of depth in the stripe region and transparency in the base region, and has characteristics similar to those of natural stones when observed with the naked eye.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing an artificial marble of the related art.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the artificial marble of the related art.

FIG. 3 shows an artificial marble according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the artificial marble according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of an artificial marble according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the artificial marble according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an artificial marble according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an image showing an X-ray scan result of base regions of artificial marbles of Examples 1 to 3.

FIG. 9 shows changes in transmittance according to a thickness of artificial marble samples of Examples 1 and 2.

FIG. 10 shows a degree of letter see-through according to the thickness of the artificial marble samples of Examples 1 and 2.

BEST MODE

The present invention relates to an artificial marble including one or more stripe regions and a base region on a first surface of the artificial marble, in which the stripe regions extend into the artificial marble, in which the artificial marble includes a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is the base region and an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region is the stripe region, and in which at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to a naked eye from the surface of the base region.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

<Stripe Region>

The artificial marble of the present invention includes a stripe region. In the present specification, the stripe region may also be referred to as a vein region, a stripe pattern region, a pattern region, a striped region, and the like.

The stripe region may include inorganic particles and a pigment. In addition, the stripe region may include a binder resin, inorganic particles, quartz powder, and a pigment.

The inorganic particles refer to inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 4 mm. The particle size may be measured using a particle size analyzer (Beckman Coulter LS 13 320 particle size analyzer). The SiO₂ content of crystalline quartz particles can be confirmed by quantitatively analyzing the content with XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer).

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stripe region may be a region in which the stripe composition including inorganic particles and a pigment is cured. In this case, the stripe composition may include the inorganic particles and the pigment in a weight ratio of 100:10 to 100, preferably in a weight ratio of 100:10 to 80, and more preferably in a weight ratio of 100:10 to 50. The inorganic particles may be crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 80% by weight or more and 99.4% by weight or less, glass particles containing a barium (Ba) element, or silica particles.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stripe region may be a region in which the stripe composition of the present invention including a binder resin, inorganic particles, quartz powder, and a pigment is cured. The stripe region may include 500 to 700 parts by weight of inorganic particles and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder on the basis of 100 parts by weight of a binder resin. In addition, 0.01 to 2% by weight of the pigment may be included based on 100% by weight of the stripe composition. The binder resin may include the unsaturated polyester resin in an amount of 90% by weight or more. The binder resin may be the same as or different from the binder resin used in the base region.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the quartz powder of the stripe region may have an average SiO₂ content of 80% by weight or more and 99.4% by weight or less. The inorganic particles of the stripe region of the present invention may be crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 80% by weight or more and 99.4% by weight or less, glass particles containing a barium (Ba) element, or silica particles. For example, the inorganic particles of the stripe region of the present invention may be one or more selected from the group consisting of amorphous silica particles, glass particles containing a barium element, and crystalline quartz particles. For example, the silica particles or crystalline quartz particles may have an average SiO₂ content of 80% by weight or more and 99.4% by weight or less. In addition, the inorganic particles may be glass particles having a barium (Ba) element content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less, and preferably 15% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less on the basis of 100% by weight of the inorganic particles. In addition, the content of the barium element included in the inorganic particles may be 5% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less, and preferably 10% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the stripe region.

The inorganic particles used in the stripe region of the present invention may include inorganic particles that are used in the base region. That is, the inorganic particles used in the base region of the present invention may also be used as the inorganic particles of the stripe region of the present invention. In the present invention, a pigment is used when manufacturing a stripe composition, thereby manufacturing an opaque stripe composition and an opaque stripe region. Therefore, the inorganic particles used in the stripe region of the present invention may be inorganic particles with high transparency due to a high SiO₂ content, inorganic particles with low transparency due to a low SiO₂ content, glass particles containing a barium element, or amorphous or crystalline inorganic particles. For example, the inorganic particles used in the stripe region of the present invention may be selected from crystalline quartz particles, glass particles containing a barium (Ba) element, and amorphous silica particles. In this case, the presence of the barium element in the glass particles of the stripe region can be detected by X-ray scan, and the content of the barium element can be measured by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF).

The stripe region of the artificial marble of the present invention may be more opaque than the base region. Preferably, the stripe region of the artificial marble of the present invention may have a total transmittance lower than that of the base region, and the total transmittance may be obtained by measuring a total transmittance for the sample of the stripe region or base region of the artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness with the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku).

A total transmittance of the stripe region of the artificial marble of the present invention may be 1% or greater and less than 6% when measured using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku) for a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness.

In addition, a total transmittance of the stripe region of the artificial marble of the present invention may be 1% or greater and less than 6% when measured using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku) for a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness and including a binder resin, inorganic particles, quartz powder and/or a pigment.

The stripe region of the artificial marble of the present invention may be more opaque than the base region. Preferably, the stripe region of the artificial marble of the present invention may have a luminance lower than that of the base region, and the luminance may be obtained by measuring a luminance at a height of about 5 cm above the surface of the sample of the stripe region or base region of the artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness with the luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta).

The stripe region of the artificial marble of the present invention may have a luminance of 1 cd/m² or greater and less than 1000 cd/m² when a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness is illuminated with 60 lumens of light from a backlight in contact with the sample and the luminance is measured at a height of about 5 cm above the surface of the stripe region of the artificial marble by using the luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta), on a side of the sample opposite to a side in contact with the backlight. For the backlight, a point light source, for example, a mobile phone backlight may be used.

In addition, the stripe region of the artificial marble of the present invention may have a luminance of 1 cd/m² or greater and less than 1000 cd/m² when a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness and including a binder resin, inorganic particles, quartz powder and/or a pigment is illuminated with 60 lumens of light from a backlight in contact with the sample and the luminance is measured at a height of about 5 cm above the surface of the stripe region of the artificial marble by using the luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta), on a side of the sample opposite to a side in contact with the backlight.

In this case, throughout the specification, the sample of the stripe region of the artificial marble in relation to the total transmittance and the luminance includes a case of a sample including a section where the stripe region is covered with the base region and is located inside the artificial marble.

The pigment of the present invention is preferably an inorganic pigment. The pigment of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as a pigment that is generally used in the manufacture of artificial marble is used. The pigment of the present invention may be TiO₂, NiO·Sb₂O₃·20TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, etc.

<Base Region>

The artificial marble of the present invention includes a base region.

A total transmittance of the base region of the artificial marble described above may be 6% or greater and 20% or less when measured using a turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku) for a sample of a base region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness.

The base region of the artificial marble may have a luminance of 400 cd/m² or greater and 2000 cd/m² or less, and preferably 1000 cd/m² or greater and 2000 cd/m² or less when a sample of a base region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness is illuminated with 60 lumens of light from a backlight in contact with the sample and the luminance is measured at a height of about 5 cm above a surface of the sample of the base region of the artificial marble by using a luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta), on a side of the sample opposite to a side in contact with the backlight.

The base region may include 500 to 700 parts by weight of inorganic particles and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

In addition, the base region may include 500 to 700 parts by weight of inorganic particles and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the binder resin, the binder resin may include an unsaturated polyester resin in an amount of 90% by weight or more, and the quartz powder may have an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight to 100% by weight and an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less.

Binder Resin

The base region of the artificial marble of the present invention includes a binder resin. The binder resin is a binder resin including an unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin. The binder resin may include the unsaturated polyester resin in an amount of 90% by weight or more.

The binder resin may be manufactured by mixing, dispersing, and curing 0.4 to 2.5 parts by weight of a curing agent, 0.05 to 0.3 part by weight of a catalyst, and 0.5 to 7 parts by weight of a coupling agent on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin.

The unsaturated polyester resin may be manufactured using a resin mixture including an unsaturated polyester polymer and a vinylic monomer. Preferably, the unsaturated polyester resin is manufactured using a composition including an unsaturated polyester polymer and a vinylic monomer in a weight ratio of 100:30 to 70. More preferably, the unsaturated polyester resin is manufactured using a composition including 60% by weight to 75% by weight of the unsaturated polyester polymer and 25% by weight to 40% by weight of the vinylic monomer.

The unsaturated polyester resin may be typically a viscous solution in which the unsaturated polyester polymer is diluted in the vinylic monomer. Therefore, when the content of the vinylic monomer is included within the range described above, the viscosity can be reduced, making it easier to handle the unsaturated polyester resin. Furthermore, the vinylic monomer can cure the unsaturated polyester resin from liquid to solid through cross-linking of polyester molecular chains without generating by-products. A weight-average molecular weight of the unsaturated polyester resin is 1,000 to 10,000 g/mol.

The unsaturated polyester polymer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof may include an unsaturated polyester polymer manufactured through a condensation reaction of a saturated or unsaturated dibasic acid and a polyhydric alcohol. Examples of the saturated or unsaturated dibasic acid may include ortho-phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, maleic anhydride, citraconic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, terephthalic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid or tetrahydrophthalic acid. In addition, examples of the polyhydric alcohol may include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, trimethylolpropane monoaryl ether, neopentyl glycol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentadiol and/or glycerin. In addition, if necessary, a monobasic acid such as acrylic acid, propionic acid or benzoic acid, or a polybasic acid such as trimellitic acid or tetracarboxylic acid of benzol may be further used.

Examples of the type of vinylic monomer may include an alkyl acrylate monomer or an aromatic vinylic monomer. However, it is preferable to use an aromatic vinylic monomer in consideration of reactivity with the unsaturated polyester polymer. For example, as the aromatic vinylic monomer, one or more selected from the group consisting of styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene, alkyl styrene substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and styrene substituted with a halogen may be used, and preferably, a styrene monomer may be used.

The curing agent may be included for a curing reaction of the binder, and is not particularly limited as long as a curing agent that is used when manufacturing engineered stone is used. The curing agent may be an organic peroxide-based compound or an azo-based compound. The organic peroxide-based compound may be one or two or more selected from a tert-butyl peroxybenzoate thermal curing agent (TBPB, Trigonox C, akzo nobel), diacyl peroxide, hydroperoxide, ketone peroxide, peroxy ester, peroxy ketal, dialkyl peroxide, alkyl perester, percarbonate, and peroxydicarbonate. For example, the compound may be tert-butyl peroxybenzoate thermal curing agent, benzoyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, t-butyl peroxy maleic acid, t-butyl hydroperoxide, acetyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxy neodecanoate, or t-amyl peroxy 2-ethyl hexanoate, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

In addition, the azo-based compound may be azobisisobutyronitrile, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The binder resin may include 0.4 to 2.5 parts by weight of the curing agent on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin. If the curing agent is included in an amount below the above range, it is difficult to cure the binder, and if the curing agent is included in an amount exceeding the above range, discoloration of the binder may occur, and therefore, the curing agent may be included within the above range.

The catalyst may be included to promote curing of the binder at a low temperature, is not particularly limited as long as a catalyst that is used in the manufacture of engineered stone is used, and may be one or two or more selected from cobalt-based, vanadium-based, or manganese-based metal soaps, tertiary amines, quaternary ammonium salts, and mercaptans. For example, a cobalt 6% catalyst (Hex-Cem, Borchers) may be used. The binder resin may include 0.05 to 0.3 part by weight of the catalyst on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin. If the catalyst is included in an amount below the above range, curing is not promoted, and if the catalyst is included in an amount exceeding the above range, discoloration of the binder may occur, and therefore, the catalyst may be included within the above range.

The coupling agent may be included to improve bonding force between the binder and natural mineral particles, and may be a silane-based or silicate-based coupling agent. The binder resin may include 0.5 to 7 parts by weight of the coupling agent on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin. If the coupling agent is included in an amount below the above range, the bonding force with the natural mineral particles is reduced, and if the coupling agent is included in an amount exceeding the above range, the cost of the raw material increases, and therefore, the coupling agent may be included within the above range.

Inorganic Particles

In the present invention, the inorganic particles of the base region refer to inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 4 mm. The particle size may be measured using a particle size analyzer (Beckman Coulter LS 13 320 particle size analyzer).

The inorganic particles of the base region of the present invention may be amorphous silica particles, glass particles, crystalline quartz particles, or the like. In addition, the inorganic particles of the base region may be one or more selected from the group consisting of amorphous silica particles, glass particles containing a barium element, and crystalline quartz particles. The inorganic particles may be amorphous silica particles or crystalline quartz particles, and the inorganic particles may be inorganic particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. The inorganic particles may be glass particles having a barium (Ba) element content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less, and preferably 15% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less on the basis of 100% by weight of the inorganic particles. In addition, the content of the barium element included in the inorganic particles may be 5% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less, and preferably 10% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the base region.

Preferably, the inorganic particles of the base region of the present invention are amorphous silica particles, glass particles containing a barium element, and/or crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. More preferably, the inorganic particles of the base region are amorphous silica particles, glass particles having a barium (Ba) element content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less in the particles, and/or crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. More preferably, the inorganic particles of the base region are amorphous silica particles and glass particles having a barium (Ba) element content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less in the particles. An artificial marble manufactured using, as the inorganic particles of the base region, amorphous silica particles or glass particles having a barium (Ba) element content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less in the particles has transparency of the base region higher than that of an artificial marble manufactured using, as the inorganic particles, crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. In addition, an artificial marble manufactured using, as the inorganic particles of the base region, amorphous silica particles or glass particles having a barium (Ba) element content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less in the particles has luminance of the base region higher than that of an artificial marble manufactured using, as the inorganic particles, crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. In the present specification, the expression described as “content in particles” is based on 100% by weight of particles.

The inorganic particles of the base region may be amorphous silica particles. Silica particles are a term commonly used in the field of artificial marble, and generally refer to SiO₂-based inorganic particles having a high SiO₂ content of 90% by weight or more, and including small amounts of other components such as minerals, in addition to SiO₂. The amorphous silica particles of the base region of the present invention may be amorphous fused silica particles, and the amorphous silica particles of the base region may also be referred to as highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles in the present specification. The amorphous fused silica particles may be amorphous fused silica particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 4 mm, and may have an average SiO₂ content of 99.5 to 100% by weight, preferably 99.6 to 100% by weight, and more preferably 99.7 to 100% by weight, and an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less, preferably 0.4% by weight or less, more preferably 0.3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by weight or less. When the average SiO₂ content in amorphous silica particles is 99.5% by weight or more, preferably 99.6% by weight or more, and more preferably 99.7% by weight or more, the transparency of the base region of the artificial marble is further improved.

The SiO₂ content of silica particles and quartz particles of the present invention can be confirmed by quantitatively analyzing the content with XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer). In addition, crystalline particles and amorphous particles can be confirmed by XRD (X-ray diffraction), and are generally confirmed by making the particles into pellets and measuring the same.

The inorganic particles of the base region may be glass particles containing a barium element. Preferably, the glass particles of the base region have a barium (Ba) element content in the particle of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less, and preferably 15% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less.

Since glass is amorphous, the glass particles containing the barium element of the base region may also be referred to as highly transparent amorphous glass particles in the present specification. In this case, high transparency means that the transparency is 90% or greater and 100% or less, and means having a transmittance of 90% or greater in the visible ray region as measured by a UV/VIS spectrophotometer on a glass plate-shaped basis before being pulverized into particles.

The presence of the barium element in the glass particles used in the base region can be detected by X-ray scan, and the content of the barium element can be measured by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). The content of barium (Ba) element in the glass particles is preferably 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less, and more preferably 15% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less. Even when the barium element content deviates from the above range, the transparency of the glass particles themselves is good, but if an artificial marble is manufactured using the glass particles, the base region of the artificial marble may appear bluish or greenish (jade green) to the naked eye, making it unsuitable for use depending on the end use. That is, when the base region is made using glass particles having a barium (Ba) element content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less, an artificial marble with good product quality and good color without bluish or greenish color can be manufactured.

The content of the barium element in the base region can be confirmed as follows. When a base composition is manufactured using glass particles containing a barium element and an artificial marble is manufactured using the base composition, the barium element is included in the base region of the artificial marble. When the artificial marble containing a certain amount or more of barium element in this way is scanned using an X-ray, the base region of the artificial marble appears bluish in the X-ray photographed image. The barium element content in the glass particles can be measured by XRF.

Preferably, the glass particles of the base region may be glass particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 4 mm, and may be highly transparent glass particles having a transmittance of 90% or greater in the visible ray region as measured by a UV/VIS spectrophotometer on a glass plate-shaped basis before being pulverized into particles.

The inorganic particles of the base region of the present invention may be crystalline quartz particles. The crystalline quartz particles of the base region of the present invention may also be referred to as highly transparent crystalline quartz particles in the present specification.

In this case, the crystalline quartz particles of the base region may be highly transparent crystalline quartz particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 4 mm, and may have an average SiO₂ content of 99.5 to 100% by weight, preferably 99.6 to 100% by weight, and more preferably 99.7 to 100% by weight, and an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less, preferably 0.4% by weight or less, more preferably 0.3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by weight or less.

When the average SiO₂ content in the crystalline quartz particles of the base region is less than 99.5% by weight, for example, 99.4% by weight or less, the transparency of the artificial marble is lowered. Therefore, crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more are preferable.

Quartz Powder

Quartz powder refers to quartz powder having a particle size of 0.1 mm or less. The particle size may be measured using a particle size analyzer (Beckman Coulter LS 13 320 particle size analyzer).

The quartz powder of the base region of the present invention may also be referred to as a highly transparent crystalline quartz powder in the present specification.

The quartz powder of the base region of the present invention is crystalline quartz powder, and is preferably crystalline quartz powder having a SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. The quartz powder of the base region may be quartz powder having a SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less, preferably 99.6% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less, and more preferably 99.7% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less, and an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less, preferably 0.4% by weight or less, more preferably 0.3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by weight or less.

The quartz powder of the base region may have an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less, preferably 99.6% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less, and more preferably 99.7% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less, and an average alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less, preferably 0.4% by weight or less, more preferably 0.3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by weight or less.

The SiO₂ content of quartz powder of the base region can be confirmed by quantitatively analyzing the content with XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer). In this case, the powders are generally made into pellets, which are then measured and confirmed with respect to the content.

Since the quartz powder of the base region has a small particle size, self-scattering occurs. Therefore, in order to increase the internal transmittance of the base region of the artificial marble, the base composition of the present invention includes crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more. If the average SiO₂ content of quartz powder is less than 99.5% by weight, the internal transmittance of the base region of the artificial marble is low, making it difficult to manufacture the artificial marble of the present invention in which the stripe region has a sense of depth and transparency of the base region is high.

The base composition of the present invention may or may not include a pigment. The pigment is preferably an inorganic pigment. The pigment is not particularly limited as long as a pigment that is generally used in the manufacture of artificial marble is used, and may be, for example, TiO₂, NiO·Sb₂O₃·20TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, etc.

<Line Region>

The artificial marble of the present invention may further include a line region, in addition to the stripe region. The line region is a region in which a line composition is cured. The line composition may be the same as that of the stripe composition.

A width of the line region may be 0.1 mm to 3 mm. A thickness, i.e., a depth of the line region may be 0.1 to 100% of a thickness of the artificial marble. In this case, the line region may extend obliquely or vertically from the surface of the artificial marble into the artificial marble. The thickness of the line region is a thickness obtained by measuring a length ranging from the surface of the artificial marble to an end of the line region extending into the artificial marble, in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the artificial marble. In the manufacturing process of artificial marble, the line region may be formed by putting a line-forming composition into a thin groove formed by scratching narrowly the surface of the base composition in a mold and curing the composition. The line-forming composition may be a mixture of inorganic particles and a pigment. The inorganic particles may be inorganic particles that are generally used in the manufactured of artificial marble, and may be the inorganic particles described herein. The pigment may be a pigment that is generally used in the manufacture of artificial marble, and may be the pigment described herein. The line-forming composition may include the inorganic particles and the pigment in a weight ratio of 100:1 to 100, preferably in a weight ratio of 1 to 80, more preferably in a weight ratio of 1 to 50, and even more preferably in a weight ratio of 2 to 30.

<Artificial Marble>

The artificial marble of the present invention includes a stripe region and a base region. The artificial marble of the present invention may include a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is the base region and the stripe region is located inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region. That is, the artificial marble of the present invention may include a section where the stripe region is covered with the base region and is located inside the artificial marble. In this case, in the above section, a thickness of the base region from the base region on the surface of the artificial marble to the stripe region inside the artificial marble may be 0.5 mm or less, 1 mm or less, or 2 mm or less, and may be equal to or less than the thickness of artificial marble by 2 mm or greater. In this case, the stripe region of the section (i.e., the stripe region located inside the artificial marble) is visible to the naked eye from an outside of the artificial marble, i.e., the surface of the base region on the first surface.

When the surface of the artificial marble is observed from the outside, i.e., from above the artificial marble, there is a difference in transparency between the base region and the stripe region. In this case, the relatively transparent region may be the base region and the relatively opaque region may be the stripe region.

The artificial marble of the present invention includes one or more stripe regions and a base region on the first surface of the artificial marble. In this case, the first surface may be a surface having the largest area of the artificial marble. The stripe region may extend into the artificial marble. The artificial marble of the present invention includes a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is the base region and an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region is the stripe region, and at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to the naked eye from the surface of the base region.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the artificial marble of the present invention includes the base region on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the artificial marble. In this case, the artificial marble of the present invention may include a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the second surface of the artificial marble is the base region and an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction over the base region is the stripe region. In this case, at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to the naked eye from the surface of the base region of the first surface or the second surface.

In addition, the artificial marble of the present invention may include a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is a base region, an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region is a stripe region, and a surface of the section corresponding to the second surface of the artificial marble in the vertical direction under the stripe region is a base region, and at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to the naked eye from the surface of the base region on the first surface.

In addition, the artificial marble of the present invention has one or more interfaces between the stripe region and the base region, i.e., boundaries where the stripe region and the base region about each other on the first surface of the artificial marble, the interfaces extend into the artificial marble, and at least one of the extending interfaces may not be parallel to a thickness direction of the artificial marble. In this case, the thickness direction of the artificial marble may be a direction perpendicular to the first surface.

In addition, the artificial marble of the present invention has one or more interfaces between the stripe region and the base region, i.e., boundaries where the stripe region and the base region about each other on the first surface of the artificial marble, the interfaces extend into the artificial marble, and an angle (α in FIG. 5 ) between at least one of the extending interfaces and the first surface may be greater than 0° and smaller than 90°.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stripe region and/or the base region may include a pigment, and the pigment of the stripe region and the pigment of the base region may be different. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stripe region may include a pigment and the base region may not include a pigment. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stripe region and the base region may include a pigment, and a density of the pigment of the stripe region may be different from that of the base region.

In addition, the first surface of the artificial marble of the present invention may include one or more selected from the group consisting of a stripe region extending from one edge to another edge of the first surface, a stripe region that does not extend from one edge to another edge of the first surface, and a stripe region not located at an edge of the first surface. In this case, another edge may be an adjacent edge, an opposite edge, or both. In this case, the stripe region extends into the artificial marble, and at least a part of the stripe region extending into the artificial marble is visible to the naked eye from the first surface of the artificial marble.

In the artificial marble of the present invention, when the thickness of the base region is 5 mm, the total transmittance of the base region may be 35% or greater and 60% or less when measured using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku). In addition, in the artificial marble of the present invention, when the thickness of the base region is 10 mm, the total transmittance of the base region may be 10% or greater and 40% or less when measured using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku).

The base region of the present invention may be a region having a total transmittance of 6% or greater and 20% or less when measuring the total transmittance by using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku) for a sample of a base region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness. In this case, the total transmittance is a sum of a diffusion transmittance and a parallel transmittance.

In addition, the base region of the present invention may be a region having a luminance of 400 cd/m² or more and 2000 cd/m² or less when a sample of a base region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness is illuminated with 60 lumens of light from a backlight in contact with the sample and the luminance is measured at a height of about 5 cm above the surface of the sample of the base region of the artificial marble by using the luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta), on a side of the sample opposite to a side in contact with the backlight.

The stripe region of the present invention may be a region having a total transmittance of 1% or greater and less than 6% when measuring the total transmittance by using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku) for a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness. In this case, the sample of the stripe region may include a section including the stripe region covered with the base region and located inside the artificial marble. That is, the base region of the present invention may be a region having a total transmittance of 1% or greater and less than 6% when measuring the total transmittance by using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku) for a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness, the stripe region being covered with the base region and located inside the artificial marble. In this case, the total transmittance is a sum of a diffusion transmittance and a parallel transmittance.

In addition, the stripe region of the present invention may be a region having a luminance of 1 cd/m² or more and less than 400 cd/m² when a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness is illuminated with 60 lumens of light from a backlight in contact with the sample and the luminance is measured at a height of about 5 cm above the surface of the stripe region of the artificial marble by using the luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta), on a side of the sample opposite to a side in contact with the backlight. In this case, the sample of the stripe region may include a section including the stripe region covered with the base region and located inside the artificial marble. That is, the stripe region of the present invention may be a region having a luminance of 1 cd/m² or greater and less than 400 cd/m² when a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness and having the stripe region covered with a base region and located inside the artificial marble is illuminated with 60 lumens of light from a backlight in contact with the sample and the luminance is measured at a height of about 5 cm above the surface of the stripe region of the artificial marble by using the luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta), on a side of the sample opposite to a side in contact with the backlight.

The total transmittance of the base region of the artificial marble of the present invention may be greater than that of the stripe region. In this case, the total transmittance is a sum of a diffusion transmittance and a parallel transmittance, and can be measured using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku).

The luminance of the base region of the artificial marble of the present invention may be greater than that of the stripe region. In this case, the luminance can be measured by illuminating a sample of a base region or stripe region with 60 lumens of light from a backlight in contact with the sample and using the luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta) at a height of about 5 cm above the surface of the base region or stripe region on a side of the sample opposite to a side in contact with the backlight.

Based on a surface of the widest surface (e.g., first surface) of the artificial marble, the stripe region may occupy 5 to 50% of a surface area of the artificial marble. Based on the surface of the widest surface (e.g., first surface) of the artificial marble, the base region may occupy 50 to 95% of the surface area of the artificial marble. When the surface of the artificial marble further includes a line region, the sum of the base region and the stripe region on the surface of the artificial marble may be less than 100%.

The artificial marble of the related art has low transparency in the base region. Therefore, even if the artificial marble includes a stripe, only the stripe region exposed to the surface is visible from the outside, and the stripe region covered with the base region is not visible (FIG. 1 shows an artificial marble of the related art, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the artificial marble of the related art).

However, the artificial marble of the present invention has high transparency in the base region (i.e., light transmittance measured by the total transmittance is high), so that not only the stripe region exposed to the surface but also the stripe region covered with the base region is visible to the naked eye from the outside of the artificial marble (FIG. 3 shows an artificial marble of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the artificial marble of the present invention. In this case, the hatched portion is the stripe region exposed to the surface of the artificial marble, and the portion surrounded by the dotted line is the stripe region covered with the base region and located inside the artificial marble).

The artificial marble of the present invention includes a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is the base region and the stripe region is present inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region. In this case, at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to the naked eye from the surface of the base region. FIG. 5 is a cross section of an artificial marble according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a part of a section where a surface of the artificial marble is a base region 300 and a stripe region 200 is present under the base region can be seen with the naked eye. The artificial marble of FIG. 5 includes the base region on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the artificial marble. In this case, the artificial marble shows a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the second surface of the artificial marble is the base region and an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction over the base region is the stripe region. In this case, the artificial marble includes a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is the base region, an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region is the stripe region, and a surface of the section corresponding to the second surface of the artificial marble in the vertical direction under the stripe region is the base region, and at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to the naked eye from the surface of the base region on the first surface. The artificial marble described above may have one or more interfaces between the stripe region and the base region on the first surface of the artificial marble, the interfaces may extend into the artificial marble, and an angle (α in FIG. 5 ) between at least one of the extending interfaces and the first surface may be greater than 0° and smaller than 90°. In this case, as a depth from the surface of the artificial marble to the stripe region deepens, a color of the stripe region may look dim. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the artificial marble according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which not only the stripe region (hatched portion) exposed to the surface but also the stripe region covered with the base area (portion surrounded by dotted lines) is also observed with the naked eye from the outside of the artificial marble.

A width (w) of the stripe region appearing on the surface of the artificial marble may be 0.3 to 20 cm, preferably 0.4 to 15 cm, and more preferably 0.5 to 10 cm.

A thickness (d′) of the stripe region of the present invention may be 0.5 to 100% of a thickness (d) of the artificial marble. The stripe region may extend obliquely or vertically from the surface of the artificial marble into the artificial marble. The thickness of the stripe region is the thickness (d′) obtained by measuring a length ranging from the surface of the artificial marble to an end of the stripe region extending into the artificial marble, in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the artificial marble. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the artificial marble of the present invention may be 6 mm or greater and 30 mm or less, and the thickness of the stripe region may be 0.03 mm or greater and 30 mm or less. One skilled in the art may appropriately adjust the width and thickness of the stripe region to manufacture an artificial marble having a desired aesthetic sense and sense of depth.

A section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface is a base region and a stripe region is present inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region may have, in a cross section of the artificial marble of the present invention cut perpendicularly to the first surface, a cross section of the base region on the first surface side of the cross section and a cross section of the stripe region under the base region. In this case, the depth of the base region measured vertically from the first surface varies depending on where the section is cut. For example, the depth of the base region measured vertically from the first surface in the cross section may be 0.5 mm or less, 1 mm or less, 2 mm or less, or 3 mm or less, and may be any depth of depths from the surface to the thickness or less of the artificial marble.

The stripe region of the present invention may be formed obliquely, not vertically (90°), with respect to the surface of the artificial marble. That is, the stripe region of the present invention may be formed from the surface of the artificial marble to the inside at an angle rather than parallel to the thickness direction of the artificial marble, i.e., the vertical direction from the surface of the artificial marble. Even when the stripe region is located on the surface of the artificial marble, there may be a section where a base region is present inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the stripe region. In addition, even when the base region is located on the surface of the artificial marble, there may be a section where a stripe region is located inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the artificial marble of the present invention. When the artificial marble is seen from above, stripe regions 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206 are present on a surface of the artificial marble, and a base region 300 is also present. In this case, line regions 401, 402, and 403 may be further present. The stripe region may extend from one edge to another edge of the artificial marble. For example, the stripe region may extend from one edge to an opposite edge of the artificial marble (201). In addition, the stripe region may extend from one edge to an adjacent edge, i.e., a next edge of the artificial marble (not shown). Further, the stripe region may not extend from one edge to another edge (202, 204 and 205). Further, the stripe region may not be located at the edge (203). The line region may also extend from one corner to the other, or not extend (401, 402, 403), or may not be located at a corner.

<Manufacturing Method of Artificial Marble>

The artificial marble of the present invention may be manufactured by putting a base composition into a mold, forming a groove on the base composition, putting a stripe composition into the groove to form a stripe pattern, and then curing an artificial marble composition having the stripe pattern formed thereon. In this case, the specific manufacturing method may use a general technology that is used in the field of artificial marble, and is not particularly limited.

In an exemplary embodiment, the artificial marble of the present invention can be formed with a stripe pattern by using a mixing and robot patterning method. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the manufacturing method of an artificial marble of the present invention may include steps of putting a base composition into a rubber mold and scraping a top of the base composition to form a groove by using a tool having a sharp tip such as an awl, a knife, a chisel, a blade and an engraving tool, and/or a robot; putting a stripe composition into the groove and then performing compression molding with vacuum press equipment; curing the molded composition at 90° C. to 130° C. for 30 minutes to 1 hour; after the curing is completed, cooling the composition to room temperature (cooling), and then removing the same from the mold (mold release) to manufacture an artificial marble; and cutting the artificial marble on all sides and then performing post-processing of smoothing surfaces.

The advantages and features of the present invention, and a method for achieving the same will become apparent with reference to the examples described below in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the examples disclosed below, but can be implemented in a variety of different forms. The examples are provided to only complete the disclosure of the present invention and to allow one skilled in the art to completely understand the category of the present invention. The present disclosure is defined by the category of the claims.

<Materials and Methods>

For the highly transparent crystalline quartz particles, highly transparent crystalline quartz particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 2.5 mm were used. In addition, the highly transparent crystalline quartz particles are quartz having a SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less and a crystallinity of 100%.

For the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles, highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 2.5 mm were used. In addition, the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles have a SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less, and an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight.

For the highly transparent amorphous glass particles, highly transparent amorphous glass particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 2.5 mm in diameter were used. In addition, the highly transparent amorphous glass particles are glass particles having a transmittance of 90% or greater in the visible ray region as measured by a UV/VIS spectrophotometer on a glass plate-like basis before being pulverized into particles. In this test, highly transparent amorphous glass particles having a barium element content of 17% by weight and highly transparent amorphous glass particles containing no barium element were used.

For the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder, highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having a particle size of 0.1 mm or smaller in diameter was used. In addition, the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder has an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less. In this experiment, several types of quartz powders were used according to the SiO₂ content.

That is, highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having a SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less and an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight, highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having a SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and less than 99.7% by weight and an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight, and transparent crystalline quartz powder having a SiO₂ content of 99.4% by weight or more and less than 99.5% by weight and an average SiO₂ content of 99.4% by weight were used.

The opaque crystalline quartz particles used in Comparative Examples and Manufacture Examples were particles generally used in the field of artificial marble, preferably E-stone, and opaque crystalline quartz particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 2.5 mm were used. In addition, the opaque crystalline quartz particles have a SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight or more and 99.4% by weight or less, and an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight.

For the opaque crystalline quartz powder, opaque crystalline quartz powder having a particle size of 0.1 mm or less was used. In addition, for the opaque crystalline quartz powder, opaque crystalline quartz powder having a SiO₂ content of 99% by weight or more and less than 99.4% by weight, and an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight was used.

The binder resin composition was manufactured as follows. An unsaturated polyester resin in which an unsaturated polyester polymer obtained by polycondensation of ortho-phthalic acid with a polyhydric alcohol and a styrene monomer were used in a weight ratio of 65:35 was used. Then, a binder resin composition was manufactured by mixing and dispersing 1.5 parts by weight of a tert-butyl peroxybenzoate thermal curing agent (TBPB, Trigonox C, akzo nobel) serving as a curing agent, 0.1 part by weight of a cobalt 6% catalyst (Hex-Cem, Borchers) serving as a catalyst and 3 parts by weight of a silane-based coupling agent on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin.

The light transmittance measurement method of the artificial marble sample is as follows. As the equipment used, the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku) was used to measure the total transmittance. In this case, the total transmittance is a sum of a diffusion transmittance and a parallel transmittance. In Experimental Example 1, for the artificial marble sample, a sample with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length and 1.5 cm in thickness was used, and the surface of the sample was polished with the 3,000 grit-sandpaper and the backside was polished with 800 grit-sandpaper.

For the inorganic pigment, TiO2, NiO·Sb₂O₃·20TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, etc., which are inorganic pigments used when manufacturing artificial marbles, were purchased and used.

<Manufacture Example 1> Manufacture of Stripe Composition

The opaque crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight were added and mixed well in the binder resin composition by using a planetary mixer. The opaque crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight and the inorganic pigment were added and mixed well in the mixture to manufacture a stripe composition.

In this case, 600 parts by weight of the opaque crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight, 300 parts by weight of the opaque crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight and 3 parts by weight of the inorganic pigment were used on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the binder resin composition.

<Manufacture Example 2> Manufacture of Stripe Composition

The highly transparent crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight were added and mixed well in the binder resin composition by using the planetary mixer. The transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.4% by weight and the inorganic pigment were added and mixed well in the mixture to manufacture a stripe of composition.

In this case, 600 parts by weight of the highly transparent crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight, 300 parts by weight of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.4% by weight and 3 parts by weight of the inorganic pigment were used on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the binder resin composition.

<Manufacture Example 3> Manufacture of Stripe Composition

The opaque crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight and an inorganic pigment were added in a weight ratio of 100:10 and mixed well by using a planetary mixer to manufacture a stripe composition.

<Manufacture Example 4> Manufacture of Stripe Composition

The highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles were added and mixed well in the binder resin composition by using the planetary mixer. Then, the opaque crystalline quartz powder and the inorganic pigment were added and mixed well in the mixture to manufacture a stripe composition.

In this case, 600 parts by weight of the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight, 300 parts by weight of the opaque crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight and 3 parts by weight of the inorganic pigment were used on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the binder resin composition.

<Manufacture Example 5> Manufacture of Stripe Composition

The highly transparent amorphous glass particles having a barium element content of 17% by weight were added and mixed well in the binder resin composition by using the planetary mixer. Then, the opaque crystalline quartz powder and the inorganic pigment were added and mixed well in the mixture to manufacture a stripe composition.

In this case, 600 parts by weight of the highly transparent amorphous glass particles having a barium element content of 17% by weight, 300 parts by weight of the opaque crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight and 3 parts by weight of the inorganic pigment were used on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the binder resin composition.

Example 1

The highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles were added and mixed well in the binder resin composition by using the planetary mixer. Then, the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder was added and mixed well in the mixture to manufacture a base composition. In this case, 600 parts by weight of the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight, and 300 parts by weight of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight were used on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the binder resin composition.

The base composition was put into a rubber mold, and the top of the base composition was scraped using a robot, thereby forming a groove. After putting the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 into the groove, compression molding was performed using vacuum press equipment. Then, the molded composition was cured at 120° C. for 1 hour, and after the curing was completed, the cured composition was cooled to room temperature, and then taken out of the mold to manufacture an artificial marble. After cutting the artificial marble on all sides, the surface was polished smoothly to manufacture an artificial marble sample.

Example 2

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that highly transparent amorphous glass particles having a barium element content of 17% by weight were used instead of the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles when manufacturing the base composition in Example 1.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 1.

Example 3

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that highly transparent crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight were used instead of the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles when manufacturing the base composition in Example 1.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 1.

Example 4

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight was used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight when manufacturing the base composition in Example 1.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 1.

Example 5

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 2, except that highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight was used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight when manufacturing the base composition in Example 2.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 2.

Example 6

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 3, except that highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight was used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight when manufacturing the base composition in Example 3.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 3.

Example 7

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 2 was used instead of the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1.

Example 8

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 3 was used instead of the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1.

Example 9

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 4 was used instead of the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1.

Example 10

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 5 was used instead of the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1.

Comparative Example 1

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.4% by weight was used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight when manufacturing the base composition in Example 1.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 2

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that highly transparent amorphous glass particles having a barium element content of 17% by weight were used instead of the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles when manufacturing the base composition in Comparative Example 1.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1.

Comparative Example 3

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that highly transparent crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight were used instead of the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles when manufacturing the base composition in Comparative Example 1.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1.

Comparative Example 4

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that opaque crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight was used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder when manufacturing the base composition in Comparative Example 1.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1.

Comparative Example 5

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2, except that opaque crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight was used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder when manufacturing the base composition in Comparative Example 2.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2.

Comparative Example 6

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 3, except that opaque crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight was used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder when manufacturing the base composition in Comparative Example 3.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Comparative Example 3.

Comparative Example 7

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that highly transparent amorphous glass particles not containing a barium element were used instead of the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles when manufacturing the base composition in Example 1, and transparent crystalline quartz powder having an, average SiO₂ content of 99.4% by weight was used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 8

A stripe composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that highly transparent amorphous glass particles not containing a barium element were used instead of the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles when manufacturing the base composition in Example 1, and opaque crystalline quartz powder having an, average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight were used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 9

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that opaque crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.2% by weight were used instead of the highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles when manufacturing the base composition in Example 1.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 10

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 9, except that highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight were used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight when manufacturing the base composition in Comparative Example 9.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Comparative Example 9.

Comparative Example 11

A base composition was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 9, except that transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.4% by weight was used instead of the highly transparent crystalline quartz powder having an average SiO₂ content of 99.7% by weight when manufacturing the base composition in Comparative Example 9.

An artificial marble sample having a stripe pattern was manufactured using the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 in the same manner as in Comparative Example 9.

That is, in Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11, only the compositions of the base compositions were different, and the stripe compositions were the same (the stripe composition of Manufacture Example 1 was used). In addition, in Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11, the artificial marble samples having stripe patterns were manufactured by using the base composition and the stripe composition in the same manner.

Further, in Example 2 and Example 7, only the compositions of the stripe compositions were different, and the base compositions were the same.

Further, in Example 1 and Examples 8 to 10, only the compositions of the stripe compositions were different, and the base compositions were the same.

In all of the above Examples and Comparative Examples, the thickness of the artificial marble sample was 18 mm, the thickness of the stripe region was 10 mm, and the width of the stripe region on the surface of the artificial marble was 10 cm.

The weight ratios of the materials of the base compositions used in the artificial marble samples are as follows (Table 1). In Table 1, the SiO₂ content is an average value of SiO₂ contents in particles or powder.

TABLE 1 inorganic particles Highly Highly Highly transparent transparent powder transparent amorphous amorphous Highly Highly Highly amorphous glass glass transparent opaque transparent transparent Transparent Opaque fused particles particles crystalline crystalline crystalline crystalline crystalline crystalline silica (Ba (Ba quartz quartz quartz quartz quartz quartz particles element element particles particles powder powder powder powder Binder resin (SiO₂ 17% by not (SiO₂ (SiO₂ (SiO₂ (SiO₂ (SiO₂ (SiO₂ composition 99.7%) weight) contained) 99.7%) 99.2%) 99.7%) 99.5%) 99.4%) 99.2%) Examples 1, To 100 600 300 8-10 Examples 2, To 100 600 300 7 Example 3 To 100 600 300 Example 4 To 100 600 300 Example 5 To 100 600 300 Example 6 To 100 600 300 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 1 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 2 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 3 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 4 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 5 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 6 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 7 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 8 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 9 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 10 Comparative To 100 600 300 Example 11 Manufacture To 100 600 Example 1 300 (stripe composition) Manufacture To 100 600 300 Example 2 (stripe composition) Manufacture To 100 600 300 Example 4 (stripe composition) Manufacture To 100 600 300 Example 5 (stripe composition)

Experimental Example 1

For the artificial marble samples of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11, the light transmittance of the base region was measured using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku). The base regions of the artificial marble samples of Examples 7 to 10 were the same as those of Examples 1 or 2, and thus were omitted. As a result, all of the artificial marble samples of Examples 1 to 6 showed excellent total transmittance in the base region, exceeding 6.00%. However, all of the Comparative Examples showed low total transmittance in the base region.

Since the stripe compositions forming the stripe regions of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11 were all the same, as a result of measuring the total transmittance of the sample (including the section having the stripe region covered with the base region and located inside of the artificial marble) of the stripe region of Example 1, the total transmittance of the stripe region was 0%. In addition, as a result of measuring the total transmittance of the samples (including the section having the stripe region covered with the base region and located inside of the artificial marble) of the stripe region of Examples 7 to 10, Examples 7, 9 and 10 showed very low total transmittance, and the total transmittance of the stripe region of Example 8 was 0% (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Total transmittance (%) Example 1 8.09 Example 2 12.79 Example 3 7.56 Example 4 6.99 Example 5 10.17 Example 6 7.02 Comparative Example 1 4.88 Comparative Example 2 5.02 Comparative Example 3 3.51 Comparative Example 4 4.37 Comparative Example 5 4.75 Comparative Example 6 3.19 Comparative Example 7 4.33 Comparative Example 8 4.24 Comparative Example 9 3.88 Comparative Example 10 3.11 Comparative Example 11 2.24 Stripe region of Example 1 0 Stripe region of Example 7 3.51 Stripe region of Example 8 0 Stripe region of Example 9 2.84 Stripe region of Example 10 3.58

Experimental Example 2

The artificial marble samples of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11 were illuminated with the backlight behind the base region and observed in front of the samples with the naked eye. In this case, for the artificial marble sample, a sample with a width of 2 cm, a length of 2 cm and a thickness of 1.5 cm was used. The backlight illuminated the artificial marble with 60 lumens of light in a state of being in contact with the artificial marble, and the LED backlight of the smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S7) was used as the light source.

Then, the luminance was measured at a height of about 5 cm above the surface of the artificial marble by using the luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta). In this case, the base regions of the artificial marble samples of Examples 7 to 10 were the same as those of Examples 1 or 2, and thus were omitted.

As a result, all of the artificial marble samples of Examples 1 to 6 showed excellent luminance in the base region, exceeding 1000 cd/m². However, all of the Comparative Examples showed low luminance in the base region.

Since the stripe compositions forming the stripe regions of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11 were all the same, as a result of measuring the luminance for the sample (including the section having the stripe region covered with the base region and located inside of the artificial marble; same hereinafter) of the stripe region of Example 1 by using the same method, the luminance of the stripe region was very low. In addition, as a result of measuring the luminance for each sample (including the section having the stripe region covered with the base region and located inside of the artificial marble) in the stripe region of Examples 7 to 10, the luminance was also very low (Table 3).

TABLE 3 Luminance (cd/m²) Example 1 1250 Example 2 1411 Example 3 1204 Example 4 1013 Example 5 1402 Example 6 1004 Comparative Example 1 165 Comparative Example 2 320 Comparative Example 3 150 Comparative Example 4 210 Comparative Example 5 203 Comparative Example 6 181 Comparative Example 7 279 Comparative Example 8 251 Comparative Example 9 142 Comparative Example 10 101 Comparative Example 11 83 Stripe region of Example 1 72 Stripe region of Example 7 150 Stripe region of Example 8 70 Stripe region of Example 9 173 Stripe region of Example 10 146

Experimental Example 3

An X-ray scan was performed on the base regions of the artificial marble samples of Examples 1 to 3.

The imaging result of the X-ray scan is shown in FIG. 8 . In the case of the base region of the artificial marble of Example 2 containing the highly transparent amorphous glass particles containing the barium element, it was confirmed that the stripe region appeared bluish as a result of X-ray imaging. However, it was confirmed that the base regions of the artificial marbles of Examples 1 and 3 not containing glass particles appeared greenish as a result of X-ray imaging.

Experimental Example 4

The artificial marble samples of Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11 were observed with the naked eye. When observing the artificial marble from the outside with the naked eye, the visibility was evaluated for the section where the base region was located on the surface of the artificial marble sample but the stripe region was present under the base region.

As a result, in Examples 1 to 10, the stripe under the base region was observed with the naked eye, and it was observed that the stripe looked blurry as the distance from the stripe region on the surface of the artificial marble increased. However, in the case of the Comparative Examples, the stripe under the base region was not visible. This was deemed to be because the base regions of the Comparative Examples were opaque (Table 4).

TABLE 4 Whether the stripe under the base region is visible Example 1 ∘ Example 2 ∘ Example 3 ∘ Example 4 ∘ Example 5 ∘ Example 6 ∘ Example 7 ∘ Example 8 ∘ Example 9 ∘ Example 10 ∘ Comparative Example 1 x Comparative Example 2 x Comparative Example 3 x Comparative Example 4 x Comparative Example 5 x Comparative Example 6 x Comparative Example 8 x Comparative Example 9 x Comparative Example 10 x Comparative Example 11 x Comparative Example 12 x ∘: The stripe under the base region is observed with the naked eye, x: The stripe under the base region is not observed with the naked eye.

Experimental Example 5

The base composition of Example 1 was put into a rubber mold having various depths and was subjected to compression molding using the vacuum press equipment. Then, the molded composition was cured at 120° C. for 1 hour, and after the curing was completed, the cured composition was cooled to room temperature, and then taken out of the mold to manufacture an artificial marble. After cutting the artificial marble on all sides, the surface was polished smoothly to manufacture artificial marble samples.

The base composition of Example 2 was also used in the same manner to manufacture artificial marble samples.

The transmittance of the artificial marble samples was measured using a Haze Meter NDH-5000 (Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., LTD), and the change in transmittance according to the thickness of the artificial marble samples was evaluated.

As a result, as the thickness of the artificial marble sample decreased, the transmittance increased in the form of an exponential function, and a difference in sense of depth of the stripe region (vein) occurred. In this case, the shapes of the trend lines of the artificial marble of Example 1 and the artificial marble of Example 2 were similar, but the transmittance of the artificial marble of Example 2 was higher (FIG. 9 , ▪: artificial marble of Example 1, ♦: artificial marble of Example 2).

Meanwhile, the thickness of the artificial marble of Example 1 was made to increase at a constant rate so that the cross section thereof had a trapezoidal shape (the thin part of the artificial marble was about 2 mm thick and the thick part was about 4 mm thick). In addition, the artificial marble of Example 2 was manufactured to have the thickness of about 2.5 mm. Then, the print was placed under the artificial marble samples whose thicknesses were adjusted, and a degree of see-through of letters on the print was evaluated. As a result, in the artificial marble of Example 1, letters were seen-through at a part having a thickness of about 2 mm, but letters were not seen-through at a part having a thickness of about 4 mm. The artificial marble of Example 2 exhibited an intermediate degree of see-through between the degrees of see-through of the two parts of the artificial marble of Example 1 (FIG. 10 ). 

1. An artificial marble comprising: one or more stripe regions and a base region on a first surface of the artificial marble, wherein the stripe regions extend into the artificial marble, wherein the artificial marble comprises a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is the base region and an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region is the stripe region, and wherein at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to a naked eye from the surface of the base region.
 2. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein the artificial marble comprises a base region on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the artificial marble, and wherein the artificial marble comprises a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the second surface of the artificial marble is the base region and an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction over the base region is the stripe region.
 3. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein the artificial marble comprises a section where a surface of the section corresponding to the first surface of the artificial marble is the base region, an inside of the artificial marble in a vertical direction under the base region is the stripe region, and a surface of section corresponding to the second surface of the artificial marble in the vertical direction under the stripe region is the base region, and wherein at least a part of the stripe region of the section is visible to the naked eye from the surface of the base region on the first surface.
 4. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein the stripe region contains a pigment and the base region does not contain a pigment.
 5. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein one or more interfaces between the stripe region and the base region are present on the first surface, wherein the interfaces extend into the artificial marble, wherein at least one of the extending interfaces is not parallel to a thickness direction of the artificial marble or an angle between at least one of the extending interfaces and the first surface is greater than 0° and smaller than 90°, and wherein the thickness direction of the artificial marble is a direction perpendicular to the first surface.
 6. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the artificial marble comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a stripe region extending from one edge to another edge of the first surface, a stripe region that does not extend from one edge to another edge of the first surface, and a stripe region not located at an edge of the first surface, and wherein the stripe region extends into the artificial marble, and at least a part of the stripe region extending into the artificial marble is visible to the naked eye from the first surface of the artificial marble.
 7. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein, in a case where a thickness of the base region is 5 mm, a total transmittance of the base region is 35% or greater and 60% or less when measured using a turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku).
 8. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein, in a case where a thickness of the base region is 10 mm, a total transmittance of the base region is 10% or greater and 40% or less when measured using a turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku).
 9. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein the base region comprises 500 to 700 parts by weight of inorganic particles and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder on the basis of 100 parts by weight of a binder resin, wherein the binder resin comprises an unsaturated polyester resin in an amount of 90% by weight or more, wherein the unsaturated polyester resin is manufactured using a composition comprising an unsaturated polyester polymer and a vinylic monomer in a weight ratio of 100:30 to 70, and wherein the quartz powder has an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less.
 10. The artificial marble of claim 9, wherein the inorganic particles are one or more selected from the group consisting of amorphous silica particles, glass particles containing a barium element, and crystalline quartz particles.
 11. The artificial marble of claim 9, wherein the quartz powder has an average SiO₂ content of 99.6% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less.
 12. The artificial marble of claim 9, wherein the inorganic particles are amorphous silica particles or crystalline quartz particles, and wherein the inorganic particles are inorganic particles having an average SiO₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less.
 13. The artificial marble of claim 9, wherein the inorganic particles are glass particles having a barium (Ba) element content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less based on 100% by weight of the inorganic particles.
 14. The artificial marble of claim 9, wherein the inorganic particles have a barium (Ba) element content of 5% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less based on 100% by weight of the base region.
 15. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein a total transmittance of the base region of the artificial marble is 6% or greater and 20% or less when measured using a turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku) for a sample of a base region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness.
 16. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein the base region of the artificial marble has a luminance of 400 cd/m² or greater and 2000 cd/m² or less when a sample of a base region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness is illuminated with 60 lumens of light from a backlight in contact with the sample and the luminance is measured at a height of about 5 cm above a surface of the sample of the base region of the artificial marble by using a luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta), on a side of the sample opposite to a side in contact with the backlight.
 17. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein the stripe region comprises 500 to 700 parts by weight of inorganic particles and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder on the basis of 100 parts by weight of a binder resin, wherein the binder resin comprises an unsaturated polyester resin in an amount of 90% by weight or more, and wherein the stripe region comprises a pigment.
 18. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein a total transmittance is 1% or greater and 6% or less when measuring the total transmittance by using the turbidimeter (NDH 5000 available from Nippon Denshoku) for a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness and comprising the stripe region covered with a base region and located inside the artificial marble.
 19. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein a luminance is 1 cd/m² or greater and less than 1000 cd/m² when a sample of a stripe region of an artificial marble with a size of 2 cm in width, 2 cm in length, and 1.5 cm in thickness and comprising the stripe region covered with a base region and located inside the artificial marble is illuminated with 60 lumens of light from a backlight in contact with the sample and the luminance is measured at a height of about 5 cm above a surface of the sample of the stripe region of the artificial marble by using a luminance meter (Luminance Meter LS-160 available from Konica Minolta), on a side of the sample opposite to a side in contact with the backlight.
 20. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein the stripe region comprises inorganic particles and a pigment, and wherein the inorganic particles are crystalline quartz particles having an average SiO₂ content of 80% by weight or more and 99.4% by weight or less.
 21. The artificial marble of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the stripe region is 0.03 mm or greater and 30 mm or smaller. 